Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs MS Rejoice Mabudafhasi to visit a post COP 17 project in Groutville, Kwazulu-Natal.

The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Rejoice Mabudafhasi, will on Friday, 5 October 2012 visit a COP 17 community project which was aimed at supplying and maintaining 69 Solar Water Heaters (SWH) in selected rural clinics in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Deputy Minister will be joined by the Mayor of IIembe District Municipality, Mr Sibusiso Mdabe, representatives from the Department of Education, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and Development Programme (UNIDO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), LTE Energy Group, educators and learners of Dr B W Vilakazi School.

The project,through the establishment of COP 17/CMP7 Greening Programme and the National Climate Change Response White Paper, aims to promote the use of solar power as an alternative energy source that will be safe and environment friendly. Having being viewed and assessed during the COP 17, it ensures a climate – friendly environment andheated water for facilities that provide social services to the surrounding communities.

Partnering with the government on this project is Phillips Electronics, LTE Energy Group, Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNIDO amongst other stakeholders. Dr Vilakazi Primary and Aldinville Primary are amongst the beneficiaries of this project that is a part of a bigger programme in the province. Both schools received a solar water heater.

Cook stoves, solar powered torches, lanterns and indoor lighting were donated by Phillips. The low carbon structure at the Dr B W Vilakazi is made possible by LTE Energy Group and the installation of solar water heaters is a partnership with theGlobal Environment facility (GEF) and UNIDO.

The surrounding communities will now be able to start their own projects and promote green jobs as a way of empowerment. The project provided skills transfer and other means of getting lighting and heating without increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Date: Friday, 5 October 2012
Time: 8h30
Venue: Dr BW Vilakazi Primary School, Groutville, KwaZulu-Natal.

RSVP:
Banele Mabena
Tel: 012 395 1607
Cell: 073 297 9409
E-mail: SMabena@environment.gov.za

Xolani Ngqoshela
Tel: 012 310 3078
Cell: 083 630 9519
E-mail: XNgqoshela@environment.gov.za

Enquiries:
Peter Mbelengwa
Cell: 082 611 8197

Roopa Singh
Cell: 082 225 3076